Enhancing the performance of xanthan gum in water-based mud systems using an environmentally friendly biopolymer

Emmanuel U Akpan,Ghasem G Nasr,Godpower C Enyi

doi:10.1007/s13202-020-00837-0

Emmanuel U Akpan, Ghasem G Nasr + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-020-00837-0

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Abstract

Xanthan gum is commonly used in drilling fluids to provide viscosity, solid suspension, and fluid-loss control. However, it is sensitive to high temperatures and not tolerant of field contaminants. This paper presents an experimental study on the effects of an eco-friendly biopolymer (diutan gum) on xanthan gum (XC) in a water-based bentonite mud. Laboratory experiments were carried out for different compositions of the biopolymers in water-based bentonite muds formulated without salt and in water-based bentonite muds containing sodium chloride (NaCl). The rheological properties of the water-based bentonite muds formulated with XC (2 Ibm) and those of the water-based bentonite muds prepared using XC (1Ibm) and diutan gum (1Ibm) were measured using Model 1100 viscometer after aging at 25 °C, 100 °C, and 120 °C for 16 h. The API fluid loss and filter cake of the mud formulations were measured using HTHP filter press. The properties of the water-based bentonite muds containing only XC were compared with those of the water-based bentonite muds containing XC and diutan gum. Presented results show that combining diutan gum and xanthan gum in a ratio of 1:1 in a water-based bentonite mud enhances its performance with respect to fluid properties—apparent viscosity, gel strength, yield points, YP/PV ratio, LSRV, n, and K. The fluid formulations also showed favorable mud cake building characteristics. Experimental data also indicate a 16%, 19%, and 34% reduction in API fluid loss values for the water-based benitoite muds containing XC in the presence of diutan gum after aging at 25 °C, 100 °C, and 120 °C for 16 h, respectively. Experimental results also show that the water-based benitoite mud containing XC and diutan gum would cause less formation damage and was tolerant of contamination with a monovalent cation (Na+). The synergy of xanthan gum and diutan gum can, therefore, improve the performance of water-based drilling fluids.

Highlights

Polymers are used in almost all water-based muds, and any drilling mud systems that are made up of soluble polymers can be referred to as polymer muds
The performance of xanthan gum and diutan gum in waterbased bentonite muds prepared without salt and in waterbased bentonite muds containing salt (NaCl) was investigated through hot rolling and API fluid loss tests
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an eco-friendly biopolymer on a widely used industry polymer in a water-based bentonite muds prepared without salt and in a water-based bentonite mud containing salt (NaCl)

Summary

Introduction

Polymers are used in almost all water-based muds, and any drilling mud systems that are made up of soluble polymers can be referred to as polymer muds. High temperatures cause the degradation of biopolymers in drilling muds (Wenjun et al 2014; Tehrani et al 2009; Zhang 2016), leading to the decrease or total loss in viscosity and other properties of drilling fluids (Weaver et al 2003). It has been found to be efficient in providing viscosity and fluid loss control in water-based mud systems and in completion fluids (Howard 1995). It is effective in minimizing reservoir formation damage (Powell et al 1995). Sarber et al (2010) compared the performance of drilling fluid formulated with diutan gum and with that of the mud formulated with xanthan gum. The viscosity of xanthan gum in drilling fluids with low salt concentrations collapses rapidly at 70–120 °C; this sharp collapse in viscosity can be a problem where viscosity maintenance is required (Howard et al 2015)

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